College Football Week 1: Expert Picks

North Carolina @ #6 South Carolina:

Connor Jones: USC, South Carolina has a big advantage playing at home and with arguably the best college football player in the nation. Their talent will prove too strong for UNC. USC 31 UNC 10

Josh Neighbors: It’s going to be USC, the ole ball coach hopes he will finally get the stability at QB in Connor Shaw. Although North Carolina is a quality team, Clowney and the Gamecocks are poised for big things this season and I believe it will begin on opening night. USC 28 UNC 13

Mississippi State vs. #13 Oklahoma State

Connor: Ok. State always has one of the strongest offenses in the country and they will be tough for Miss. State to keep up with. Too many play makers on the offensive side of the ball for Ok. State. Ok. State 41 Miss. State 24

Josh: The Mike Gundy shootout style meets the Mississippi State grind it out game. With a pair of senior quarterbacks set to dual, this is one of the more underrated games of the weekend. MSU hasn’t won their first game against a ranked team in over five years, I like that trend to continue. Ok. State 45 Mississippi State 35

#1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech

Connor: Alabama enters the season once again as the team to beat. In the end their talent will be too much for Virginia Tech, but Tech's defense helps them cover the spread. Alabama 27 Virginia Tech 13

Josh: Alabama is laying 19.5 points here in this one. Thats a big number, but I think they cover with a late touchdown. Bama 42  VT 21

#5 Georgia @ #8 Clemson

Connor: College Football's game of the week takes place in Death Valley. Two top ten teams will provide an exciting close game from start to finish. Clemson has proven they can play with and beat SEC teams before, and a late touchdown and home crowd advantage will lead to an opening week Clemson win. Clemson 27 UGA 23

Josh: Clemson’s vertical threat in Deandre Hopkins is gone. Aaron Murray is the best pure quarterback in the country in my opinion. The dynamic backfield combination “Gurshall” is back. I like UGA by two scores on the road. UGA 38 Clemson 24

#12 LSU vs #20 TCU

Connor: Both of these teams will play stingy defense and keep their teams in it, but late in the game TCU's defense will wear down and LSU will pull through. LSU 20 TCU 13

Josh: Gary Patterson versus Les Miles. Two of the top five coaches in the league means get ready for a defensive chess match. I can’t wait to see what Zack Mettenburg looks like after he was a letdown last season. In the end of the day, the Mad Hatter will win out. LSU 17 TCU 13